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Sony Mdr-Cd900stImage © Amazon

Sony Mdr-Cd900st

65/ 100
Good
HearWiki score

Priced about right

$160
typical price, USD
Still sold newupdated
Buy now onAmazon

At a glance

Brand
Sony
Type
Over-Ear
Fit
closed
Connection
Wired
Noise cancelling
No
Released
1987

Score breakdowngood overall

Sound7.1
Value7.4

The HearWiki takeAI-condensed

This wired over-ear headphone is a long-standing studio monitor known for its neutral, mid-focused sound and strong detail retrieval. It prioritizes analytical clarity over bass impact or treble sparkle, making it a practical tool for critical listening rather than casual enjoyment. Comfort is adequate for shorter sessions, and its design is straightforward without modern conveniences like noise cancellation or a detachable cable.

What works

  • Neutral, uncolored sound profile
  • Excellent clarity and separation
  • Lightweight at 200 grams
  • Trusted studio monitor design

What doesn't

  • Limited bass and treble extension
  • Average comfort for long wear
  • Non-detachable cable
  • Narrow soundstage

Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.

Specifications

Audio - Sony Mdr-Cd900st
Driver40 mm dynamic
Driver typedynamic
Driver size40 mm
Drivers per side1
Frequency response5 Hz - 30 kHz
Impedance63 Ω
Sensitivity106 dB/mW

Where to buy

Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.

What the reviews said

5 source(s) feeding this product's score.

audiosciencereview.com

This review combines measurements and listening impressions and reaches an overall negative recommendation. It emphasizes the headphone’s measured behavior and concludes it is not a model the reviewer can recommend.

Read the full review

head-fi.org

The reviewer describes the CD900ST as very well tuned with excellent timbre, imaging, and separation, while keeping a relatively narrow soundstage by design. Bass and upper treble are both limited, so it is framed as a mid-focused monitor rather than a bass-heavy or sparkly headphone.

Read the full review

headfonia.com

The review characterizes the MDR-CD900ST as a respected monitoring headphone whose sound is fairly neutral and uncolored. The overall impression is that it succeeds as a studio tool more than as a fun, heavily flavored listening headphone.

Read the full review

homestudiobasics.com

The MDR-CD900ST is presented as a very capable monitoring headphone with strong resolution and separation. The review also notes tradeoffs: the bass is rolled off, treble sparkle is limited, and comfort is only average for long sessions.

Read the full review

What YouTube reviewers say

Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.

The consensus

Positiveacross 5 videos

Reviewers agree the Sony MDR-CD900ST excels as a professional studio monitor with accurate, detailed sound, strong vocal focus, and precise imaging, making it ideal for critical listening and mixing.

Reviewers liked

  • Accurate, detailed, and neutral sound with strong vocal focus
  • Precise stereo imaging and clarity for critical listening
  • Comfortable low clamping force and lightweight build

Reviewers flagged

  • Stock ear pads are very uncomfortable and affect sound
  • Attached cable with non-detachable design and no folding hinges
  • May sound clinical or uncolored for casual listening
37:00

Sony MDR-CD900st _(Z Reviews)_ G O D Z I L L A 🐲

Z Reviews94.7K viewsJun 2020

The reviewer is highly impressed with the Sony MDR-CD900ST, praising its surprisingly impactful low end at low volumes, clear and engaging sound, and comfortable linear clamping force despite the thin pads. He considers it a listening pleasure headphone first, with a quality that stands out among studio monitors, though he notes the attached cable, thin pads, and lack of folding as drawbacks.

14:31

Sony MDR-CD900ST - Studio and Pleasure Approved

the Honest Audiophile16.2K viewsApr 2021

The reviewer finds the Sony MDR-CD900ST to be a capable studio monitor with a strong vocal focus, but notes that the stock ear pads are very uncomfortable and significantly affect the sound. After swapping to Yaxi pads, the sound becomes more balanced and enjoyable, making it a versatile headphone for both monitoring and casual listening, though it has a mid-bass emphasis and a slightly narrow soundstage.

21:53

Sony MDR-CD900ST

EJ228.3K viewsJul 2021

The reviewer compares the Sony MDR-CD900ST to the MDR-V6, noting that while they look similar, the CD900ST has a more detailed and balanced sound with better mids and staging, making it better for acoustic music. They find it worth the higher price despite the lack of folding hinges, a non-detachable cable, and poor stock ear pads, which they recommend replacing with Yaxi pads for comfort and sound.

3:10

Sony MDR-CD900ST: The Studio Headphones Audio Pros Swear By

Tech Watcher Now117 viewsAug 2025

The reviewer praises the Sony MDR-CD900ST as a legendary studio tool, highlighting its neutral, accurate sound reproduction, exceptional clarity, and precise stereo imaging. They note it is ideal for critical listening and professional work, though it may sound clinical to some and benefits from an amplifier. Overall, they consider it a top choice for audio enthusiasts despite its utilitarian build.

2:58

Sony MDR-CD900ST: The Studio Legend You Need

Modern Gadget Scout6 viewsMay 2026

The reviewer praises the Sony MDR-CD900ST as a professional studio tool, highlighting its flat frequency response, excellent isolation, and comfortable fit. They note it is not ideal for casual listening due to its uncolored sound, but for critical mixing and mastering, it is unmatched in accuracy and detail.

Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.

What owners say

A sample of buyer reviews, quoted as written. They aren't verified and they don't feed the HearWiki score - that comes from published reviews only.

Used by Pros in Japan for a Reason — Read Why

I ve had these headphones for 2 years now and they are phenomenal in terms of studio monitoring, flat sound, vocal mixing and midrange sounds. I ve waited this long to review this headphone mainly forRead more

Finally Listening to Plastic Love the Way It Was Meant to Be Heard

TLDR: Purpose built headphones for media professionals to meet specific demands within the recording industry of 1980 s Japan. If you re buying them just to listen to music, there are a ton of otherRead more

Audio Experience Missing Parts

The product I received included a silver 6.35 mm jack, contrary to the advertised gold-plated 3.55 mm variant. Furthermore, in comparison to the Sony MDR-7506 headphones that I own, the sound qualityRead more

For Digital

I purchased these because of how fond I ve been of my MDR-7506 cans- I had done a bit of research that basically indicated to me that these were a tinge more warm and colorful than the MDR-7506 sRead more

via Amazon customer reviews

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Where it sits in our rankings

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